Coin actuated switch mechanism



April 1952 J. G. VAN DERWALKER 2,593,313

COIN ACTUATED SWITCH MECHANISM 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1947 mmwxzylzzc ATTORNEY.

April 1952 J. G. VAN DERWALKER 2,593,813

COIN ACTUATED SWITCH MECHANISM 2 $HEETSSHEET 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1947 NVENTOR. acofifi Vazzflerwafkez;

ATTORN EY.

Patented Apr. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE COIN ACTUATED SWITCH MECHANISM Jacob G. Van Delalker, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application December 15, 1947, Serial No. 791,697

This invention relates to a coin actuated switch mechanism adapted to initiate operation of the automatic cycle of a control mechanism, to which it is operably connected, after the control mechanism has been manually set to select the desired portion of the cycle and a suitable coin has been deposited.

Heretofore machines having an automatic cycle of operations have been provided with coin control devices which, after deposition of a proper coin, permit use of the machine. However, known coin control devices are complicated, costly mechanisms which limit or prevent the selection of a desired operation, or which after a predetermined time break a control circuit so that even though the operation is not complete the machine stops. Known devices also require considerable servicing to maintain them in satisfactory operating condition.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost coin-actuatedswitch-mechanism which may be adapted, with a minimum of alteration, to control many automatic cycle control mechanisms by depositing a com.

7 Claims. (01. 1611) An important object of the invention is the provision of a coin-actuated-switch-mechanism which provides for the selection of all or any part of the usual automatic operating cycle, or acceleration of the automatic cycle to eliminate undesired phases of the cycle. provide such a switch mechanism which after it is properly installed and adjusted will operate satisfactorily for long periods of time without requiring servicing.

A further object is to 1 While the coin-actuated-switch-mechanism of the present invention is shown and described in connection with an automatic cycle controlling mechanism of the type shown in Patent No. 2,218,726 issued October 22, 1940, to Ray W. Scott for use with an automatic washing machine fully described in application No. 129,429, filed March 6, 1937, by Rex Earl Basset, Jr., and John W. Chamberlin originally issued as Patent No. 2,168,884, dated July 11, 1939, reissued as Reissue 22,375, September '14, 1943, it should be understood that the invention is readily adaptable to other mechanisms for the use of which it is desired to collect a suitable coin.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of an automatic washing machine with a portion broken away to show in elevation the relation of the coin-actuated-switch-mechanism and the automatic control mechanism. v

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the automatic mechanism and the coin-actuated-switchmechanism, on an enlarged scale. A fragment of the casing and a portion of the coin chute being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the coin chute taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2 and showing the soak phase blocking cam.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the coin chute.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the one-way clutch portion of the control shaft.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the altered phase selecting dial and Figure 8 is a wiring diagram.

Ordinarily an automatic washing machine includes the successive phases of operation shown in the chart below.

Complete cycle min. 111111.

Soak Drfiain and tumble Wash Drain 1st rinse {Spray min. mill.

(flushing) Tumble 2.25 Extract (Hi Speed) .75

6.75 min.

Rinse 3.75

3rdrinse(deep) Drain 2.25

' Extract 3.75

9.75 min.

Tumble .75

Total 49.50 min. The foregoing phases are initiated and determined by an automatic control mechanism of the type above referred to which is provided with a graduated dial, having indicia corresponding to the successive phases of operation, which is movable past a fixed indicating pointer. By means of the dial, connected to the automatic mechanism by a one-way clutch, the mechanism may be manually moved in one direction from the first off position into the automatic soak phase at the completion of which the second off position is reached. Upon further manual movement of the dial in the same direction, the wash phase of the cycle is initiated and determined by the automatic mechanism which in a predetermined sequence and timed relation initiates and determines the successive phases until the cycle is completed.

The one-way clutch positively connects the min.

dial to the automatic mechanism in such a man-' any phase of the automatic cycle may be selected,

accelerated or cut out entirely by manipulating the dial. During the automatic cycle the oneway clutch causes the mechanism to move the dial past the pointer to indicate which phase is occurring. Upon rotation of the dial in the opposite direction at any time, the one-way clutch disengages to prevent reverse movement of the irreversible mechanism thus avoiding damaging the mechanism. The phase indicating driving relation of the dial with the automatic mechanism is determined by the one-way clutch engaging the mechanism at a predetermined point and this relation is restored upon rotation of the dial in the driving direction until the one-way clutch reaches the driving point and re-engages.

For the satisfactory washing of a wide range of soiled materials the manufacturers of automatic washing machines have provided selective controls by means of which the various washing phases may be selected, accelerated or eliminated in accordance with the recommended practices for washing such materials.

It is recognized that a coin actuated automatic washing machine must be satisfactory to the users to be profitable to the renter and to insure such satisfactory use and profit all the original selectivity of the machine is retained when the machine is converted for coin actuated use by applying the principles of the present invention. One exception is that it has been found unnecessary to retain the Soak phase which is accordingly blocked out of the cycle.

In the specific form of automatic washing machine illustrated in the drawings a drive mechanism for a cylinder rotatably mounted in a tub, and certain other operating mechanism (not shown) are operably mounted in a casing It. As viewed in Figure 1 the top wall of casing It is provided with a spaced pair of dials, the left hand dial is operable to select and control the temperature of the wash water, and since it forms no partvof this invention need not be described. The right hand dial II, provided with suitable indicia I2 as shown in Figure 7 is operably connected to the automatic control mechanism generally indicated by numeral I3. As in the Scott patent above referred to mechanism I3 also includes an electric motor I4 connected to an escapement mechanism (not shown) mounted in the escapement casing I5. The escapement mechanism includes a suitable train of gears for intermittently driving at a reduced speed a cam shaft I3 rotatably mounted in a switch box I'I.

During one complete revolution of the automatic control mechanism I3 each one of a series of cam discs I3, secured to the shaft I6 in spaced relation and formed with suitable raised and indented edge portions, causes actuation of an associated pair of spring contact fingers I9 to close and; open the phase controlling circuits 20. Ihe order and time relation of the opening and closing of the circuits 20 (shown in the above chart) may be varied by manipulation of the dial I I to select a recommended washing cycle for the material being washed.

The coin-actuated-switch-mechanism of the present invention could be readily installed in an automatic washing machine at the time of its manufacture. However, manufacturers have not seen fit to do so and accordingly this mechanism is adapted for installation in an automatic washing machine after its manufacture.

In converting a, machine for coin actuated use the automatic cycle mechanism l3 including the dial H, the motor I4, the escapement I5, the cam shaft I6, the switch box I! containing the cams I8 and contacts I9 and the attached circuit wires are detached from the machine as a unit by first removing dial II from shaft I8 and then removing the screws 22 which pass through openings and normally secure a mounting disc 2| of mechanism I3 upon a formed bracket 23 in turn secured to casing II) by screws 24.

Dial I I is formed with a radial bore 25 in which a clutch pin 26 is slidably mounted and urged inwardly by a light helical compression spring 27 having its opposite ends seated in the axially aligned shallow bores formed in the outer end of pin 26 and the spaced inner end of a headless screw 28, having threaded engagement with the threaded outer end portion of bore 25. By unscrewing screw 23 the dial II may be removed. A shallow circumferentially disposed groove 29 is formed adjacent the outer end of shaft I6 so that when the dial II is mounted on the end portion of the shaft the spring 21 causes a, reduced cylindrical end of the pin 26 to engage in the groove 29, thus retaining the dial rotatably mounted on the shaft.

To prevent damaging the irreversible mechanism I3 a one-way clutch 30 is provided by forming in groove 29 a notch 3| against the fiat base 32 of which the reduced end of pin 26 is resiliently held by the spring 21 with sufficient force so that during the intermittent clockwise movement of mechanism I3 the dial II has a corresponding clockwise movement. In order to select, accelerate, or cut out any phase of the automatic cycle by a clockwise movement of the dial I I the notch 3| is formed with a semi-circular endwall or shoulder 33 against which the reduced cylindrical end of pin 26 engages as a drive pin to cause clockwise movement of mechanism I3 when the dial II is moved clockwise (seeFigure 6).

The point of engagement between the dial II and the mechanism I3 is predetermined so that, as the mechanism moves the dial by a fixed mark or pointer P, the dial indicia visually indicates which phase of the cycle is occurring.

Counter-clockwise rotation of the dial II overcomes the resistance of the spring 21 and causes the pin 26 to slide along the base of the notch SI and into the groove 29 independent of movement of mechanism I3. With the pin 26 engaging in the groove 29 there is no drive between the dial and the mechanism, until the dial is further; rotated to return the pin to its driving position and the dial is again moved in a clockwise direction.

Having detached the dial II and mechanism I3, as above described, an extension shaft 34, having a central bore 35 of a size to slip on the shaft I6, is slipped on and secured to the shaft by tightening against the shaft a pair of set screws 35 having threaded engagement with the shaft 34. The upper end portion 31 of the shaft 34 is reduced to the diameter of shaft I6. and is provided with a, groove 29 and a notch 3 I exact duplicates of groove 29 and notch 3I formed on shaft I 6. The base 32 and shoulder 33' are arranged in co-incidental relation to the planes of the base 32 and the shoulder 33 of notch 3I in securing the shaft 34 on the shaft I6 so that when the dial II is mounted on the shaft 34 its phase indicating relation will be the same as when the dial was mounted on shaft I3.

The lower end of the shaft 34 is cut away as at 38 to provide a cam 39 arranged to operate a coin-actuated switch mechanism 48 whereby the machine is inoperative during the Soak phase of the cycle. Suitable instructions are provided to inform the user that the machine is inoperative when a pilot light is extinguished and that a coin should be deposited only when the pilot light is burning.

The coin-actuated switch mechanism 48 is carried by a sheet metal bracket M, a vertical wall portion 42 of which is formed with upper and lower parallel horizontally disposed flanges 43 and 44, respectively' The flanges 43 and 44 are provided with vertically aligned openings for the insertion of shafts 34 and I6 of mechanism l3 therethrough and vertically aligned screw openings, spaced the same as the screw openings in the mounting disc 2| and the formed plate 23 for the reception of the pair of screws 22 which may i now be used to secure the upper flange 43 to the formed plate 23. A pair of screws 22 are provided to secure the mounting disc 2| of mechanism I3 to the lower flange 44. When so secured the disposition of the mechanism I3 in the pressed up to form a band or loop 45 and the outer end portion of the flange 44 is formed with a vertical ear 46 having a rectangular opening coextensive and aligned with the opening provided by the formation of the loop 45. A bar 4'! for actuating the switch mechanism 48 is slidably mounted in the openings in the loop and the ear for outward movement by and during rotation of the cam 39. Toward the outer end of the bar 41 a vertical projection 48 is formed and carries in a horizontally disposed threaded bore an adjustable screw 49, the head of which engages the spring pressed actuating pin 5I of a pilot light switch 58. The switch 58 is secured as by screws 53 to a horizontally disposed flange 52 formed on the vertical wall 42 above the flange 44.

The sheet metal bracket 4| includes a vertical plate portion 55 located substantially in the plane of the vertical wall portion 42 and connected to flange 44, adjacent its outer end, by an integral vertical web 54. A bell crank 56 is pivotally mounted on a stud 51 secured to the plate 55 and has secured to its vertical arm 58, an extension arm 59 the upper end of which engages the outer end of bar 41. By means of a slot 6| formed in arm 59 and a pair of screws 62 passed through the slot for engagement in threaded holes formed in the arm 53 an adjustable connection 68 is provided between the bell crank 56 and the arm 59 to insure proper engagement of the arm 58 with the bar 41. A helical tension spring 63 having one end anchored to the web 54 and its opposite end anchored to the arm 59 acts through the arm 59 to resiliently urge the bar 4'! toward the axis of the cam 39 for engagement by the cam.

An inturned vertical ear 66 is formed at the vertical end of the horizontally disposed arm 64 of the bell crank 56 and has secured to its flat face as by the rivets 61, a depending leaf spring or finger 68 the lower end portion of which is lightly held by the action of the spring 63, against the circuit-breaking pin 69 of a well-known type of micro switch I8 secured to the vertical plate 55 by screws 1 I.

It will be noted that shortly before completion of an automatic cycle of the machine a leading portion of the cam 39 automatically engages and moves the bar 41 outwardly thus opening the pilot light switch 58 and extinguishing the pilot light I88.

In completing the automatic cycle the cam 39 moves the bar 41 outwardly a slight additional distance, and while this movement of the bar 41 causes a corresponding swinging movement of the long arms 58, 59 of the bell crank 56 about the axis of the stud 51, the swinging movement of the short spring finger 68 of the bell crank 56 is insufiicient to open the micro switch 18 thus insuring completion of the selected automatic cycle.

Simultaneously with or shortly after completion of the automatic cycle the finger 68 has been swung sufficiently to depress the circuit-breaking pin 69 and holds it depressed. When so depressed and held the pin 69 has snapped and holds a snap-action leaf spring contactor (not shown) of the micro switch 18 out of engagement with a contact (not shown) thereby opening the operating circuits 28 and rendering the automatic cycle inoperative.

During a further rotative movement of the dial II, corresponding in extent to the Soak phase of the cycle, the switch mechanism 48 is held in its inoperative position by the cam 39 and the Soak phase is efi'ectively blocked out of the cycle.

Upon a continued rotative movement of the dial I I the cam 39 rides off of the bar 41 as shown in Figure 4 and the switch operating mechanism 48 assumes the position shown in Figure 2. In this position the pilot light is lighted and the micro switch is conditioned so that upon actuation by a proper coin the selected automatic cycle is initiated and completed.

The micro switch I8 includes an actuator pin 12 which upon inward movement by a lever 13 causes the leaf spring contactor to snap into a circuit closing position. The lever 13 has its upper end pivotally secured on a stud I4 secured to the plate 55 and is provided with an ear 15 intermediate its pivotal connection to stud I4 and a foot portion '16 formed at its lower end. The weight of the foot I6 maintains the ear 15 engaged with the pin '12. An outer rounded end 11 of the foot 16 projects through a slot 18 formed in an adjacent sheet metal wall 19 of a coinchute 88; whereby a suitable coin in passing downwardly through the chute and past the rounded end I7 moves the lever 13 and the pin 12 sufliciently inward to close the contacts of the micro switch 18 thus initiating the automatic cycle of the machine.

In other words the full automatic cycle of the machine (minus the Soak phase) or any desired portion of the cycle may be used by depositing a suitable coin in the coin chute Whenever the pilot light is lighted.

The coin chute 88 includes a tortuous coin passage 8I arranged to effectively prevent insertion of a wire or other instrumentality through the coin passage to actuate the micro switch 18 and thus operate the machine without depositing a suitable coin.

A vertical body portion 82 of the coin chute 88 is formed by the vertical end wall 79, a spaced co-planar end wall 83 and spaced front and rear co-planar walls 84 and 85, respectively, which provide a 'vertical coin guiding portion of rectangular cross-section in the coin passage 8|. The spacing of these walls is such that only proper coins will pass through the body portion and 'engage the rounded lower end of the lever I3 so that the micro.switch 70 is actuated and the automatic cycle of the machine initiated.

The front wall 84 of the body portion 82 is secured, as'by welding, to a pair of spaced offset pads 86 formed on the plate 55 of the bracket H, as shown in Figure 3. The walls I9, 83, 84 and 85 are extended above the body portion 82 and are formed to provide an angularly related outwardly diverging throat portion 81 having its rectangular open outer end arranged beneath a rectangular opening 88 formed in the casing I0.

An inverted housing 90 secured to the casing I in any suitable manner as by the pair of screws 89 is formed with a slot 9| aligned with and forming a coin directing angular continuation of the angularly disposed throat portion 01, but extends in a direction opposite to that of the throat to provide the tortuous coin passage 8i.

An opening 92 of slightly larger diameter than a proper coin is formed in the front wall 93 of the housing 90 at the upper end of the slot 9| so that upon inserting the coin through the opening it drops into the slot 9|, rolls down the curved surface of the casing I0, drops through the opening 88 into the throatBI and in passing through the chute portion-82 and past the lever I3 actuates the micro switch I0 thus initiating the automatic cycle of operations.

As shown in Figure 1 a suitable tube 94 provides a continuation of the coin chute 80 and directs the deposited coin into a suitable lock box 95 securely mounted within the casing I0.

Openings 96 and 97 are formed in the front and rear walls 84 and 85, respectively, of the body portion 92 above the lever 13. A light gauge leaf spring 98, having its upper end secured to the upper pad 86 is formed with a lower portion which extends through the opening 96 and toward the opening 97 which is of slightly less width than the diameter of a proper coin. A coin 99 in passing through the coin chute 80 rides over the spring 98 which resiliently urges it toward the rear wall 85 and should its diameter be less than that of a propercoin the spring will cause ejection of the coin through the opening 91.

A body portion IOI of the pilot light I00 is formed with a reduced outer end portion 02 which extends through and beyond an opening I03 formedin the casing I0 adjacent the housing 90. The outer face of a shoulder I04, formed at the junction of the reduced portion I02 with the body portion I0 I, normally engages the inner surface of the casing I0 about the opening I03. Since the body IOI will not pass through the opening I03 unauthorized removal of the pilot light is effectively prevented.

As best shown in Figure 2 the pilot light I00, of the so-called plug in type, is plugged into an electric socket or block I which is secured to a bracket I05 in any suitable manner. One end of the bracket I06 is formed with an eye hingedly connected by a pin I0! to a complementary hinge part I08 secured to the casing I0 by rivets I 09. The other end portion of the bracket I06 is formed with an ear I I I engaged with and secured to the plate 55 by a screw I I2.

When the screw I I 2 is removed the entire light mounting IIO including a pair of circuit wires H5 and H6 attached to terminals in the block I8 I05, may be swung about the axis of the pin I 01 sothat the light I00 is accessible and may be readily removed from the block I05. After a new light is plugged into the block I05 the mounting 'I I0 is again swung into its normal position and the screw I'I2 replaced and tightened.

In the wiring diagram shown in Figure 8 the elements of the automatic cycle mechanism I3 are indicated by captions as follows: T.-C. Strepresents the time control switch; CI, C2, C3 and C0 represent the series of cams I8; 'I. S. S. represents the temperature selectorswitch operable by the dial I I; T. M. represents the time motor I4; M represents the motor of the cylinder driving mechanism; D. S. represents a drain valve operating solenoid; I. V. S. represents a water inlet valve solenoid; S. S. represents a gear shifting solenoid for changing the R. P. M. of the driving mechanism; and F. S. represents a float switch which shuts off" a water pump (not shown) when the water reaches a predetermined level in the tub.

A wire II3 connects one terminal of the pilot light switch 50 to a power line I I4 of the circuits 20 and a wire I It connects the other terminal of the switch 50 to one terminal of the pilot light I00, the other terminal of which is connected by a wire H6 to a common return wire II! of the circuits 20, whereby, when the switch 50 is closed in the manner above described, the lamp I00 is lighted. As pointed out above when the automatic cycle is nearly completed the lamp I00 is extinguished.

A main wire H8 of the automatic phase controlling circuit 20, which before conversion of the machine for coin controlled use was directly attached to a power line II 4, is now attached to one terminal of the micro switch I0 whose other terminal is now connected to the power line H4.

In other words the micro switch 10 is interposed in the power line and, by and during selection of a desired washing cycle, is first opened to eliminate the Soak phase of the cycle and is then conditioned so that when it is closed by a proper coin, all in the manner above described, the various electrical-circuits are energized in a sequence and time relation determined by the cams I8 of the automatic cycle controlling mechanism I3 until the selected automatic cycle is completed.

Iclaim:

1. 'In an automatic washing machine wherein a concealed motor driven automatic cycle mechanism for controlling a main and othersuitable electrical circuits has a shaft manually operable by an exposed dial to close the main circuit and thereby initiate the first phase of the automatic cycle and thereafter manually operable to initiate and to accelerate successive phases of the automatic cycle; the improvement which comprises, a switch means in the main circuit, a switch actuating means operable by movement of the mechanism shaft to open the switch upon 9 matically set for closing by the coin actuated means.

3. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein a bracket operably carries the switch means, the switch opening means, the coin actuated means, and the automatic cycle mechanism.

4. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein a unitary bracket operably carries the switch means, a linkage for opening the switch means, the coin actuated means, and the automatic cycle mechanism, and the manually operable shaft of the latter is provided with a cam for actuating the linkage, opening the switch means and holding it against closing during the first phase of the cycle.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaft of the automatic cycle mechanism is provided with a cam formed and arranged to actuate the switch opening means whereby the switch means is held against closing during manual rotation of the shaft through the first phase of the cycle, thereby eliminating the first phase of the cycle.

6. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the manually operable means includes a cam actuated linkage arranged to hold the switch means against closing, and open a closed pilot light switch in a pilot light circuit whereby 10 when the manually operable means is rotated through the first phase of the cycle the mechanism is inoperative and this condition is indicated by the extinguished pilot light.

7. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the automatic cycle mechanism is secured to a bracket and its manually operable shaft is provided with an extension shaft rigidly secured thereto and having a cam formed and arranged to actuate a slidable bar of a switch opening linkage mounted on the bracket and thereby hold the switch means against closing and a pilot light switch open during the first phase of the cycle.

JACOB G. VAN DERWALKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,375 Chamberlin et a1. Sept. 14, 1943 1,798,466 Haley Mar. 31, 1931 2,106,042 Stark Jan. 18, 1938 2,139,523 Smith Dec. 6, 1938 2,155,271 Jones Apr. 18, 1939 2,376,901 Clark May 29, 1945 2,427,396 Farny n- Sept. 16, 1947 

